A nest for your nest. (a giveaway)

Posted by Amy on Jan 19, 2010 | 46 comments

Last September I had one of my first giveaways here on She Wears Many Hats. It was for one of these hand drawn nests. Since I’m already thinking of spring and warmer weather, I thought about giving away some more. And while I’d like to be able to give everyone one of these (my eyes just couldn’t take it!) 2 winners will be chosen.

Each drawing is an original – different from the next – drawn by hand in pen and ink. The drawing itself is fairly small, about 2×3.” While they’re certainly no masterpiece, I’ve enjoyed drawing them for family and friends and would love to send one your way. The number of eggs can represent the number of chicks (children) you have in your nest. They make a great gift for any mother, grandmother or anyone who likes birds nests.

Two (2) randomly selected winners will be chosen. Each drawing will be customized to the number of eggs requested. The drawings will be matted but not framed. (Keep in mind that a nest can only hold so many eggs. The maximum I’ve drawn so far are 7 eggs in a nest.)

To enter tell me how many eggs you’d like in your nest if you win and answer this question…

First thing come spring, what will you do to freshen up your nest?
Will you be painting a room? Choosing new drapes or pillows? Or is spring cleaning enough to get you all fluffed and ready for a new season?

I’m already thinking of ways to spruce things up around here. (Don’t tell my hubby though.)

Deadline for entering will be Sunday, January 24, 2010 at Midnight PST. Winners will be announced on Monday, January 25 as soon as I get around to posting it – I’ll hurry as fast as I can. Promise.

~ Don’t forget to tell me how many eggs you’d like in your nest.

Have a great day!

A Friendly Gingerbread Challenge

Posted by Amy on Dec 16, 2009 | 12 comments

Our church began a new tradition last year, a friendly gingerbread competition. Tonight is this years night for the event. Last year since my daughter was teaming up with her Sunday school class, my son and I teamed up with one of his friends and his mom. This year we bailed and have no entry.

I’m a little bummed and feel like a slacker. As I was looking through the pictures of our entry from last year I reminisced about our sugary fun and thought I’d share our entry with you as well. (Forgive me for the quality of the pictures. It was dark and I didn’t take the time to use my tripod.)

We kinda procrastinated and tackled ours in one long sticky afternoon. Our base was rice cereal treats molded to form the perfect sledding hill, which atop sat our snow house made of sugar cubes glued together with icing.

The only rules were that it had to be edible, so the only gingerbread we used was the roof of the house and that was covered with gum shingles. Gum shingles withstand a lot of snow in elf land. The house is still in one piece in my friends china cabinet. Trees were made from ice cream cones covered in icing and turned upside down. The bushes were marshmallows covered in the same green icing.

These little elves were made from a homemade gum paste concoction.

The sled is made from a fruit roll-up.

Look a snow angel!

We had a blast that day playing with sugar and all things sweet. Tonight I’ll certainly enjoy seeing the creations of other busy hands. Maybe next year well have a go at it again.

Did you make a gingerbread display this year? Or have you made a memorable one in the past?

Merry Christmas!

Vintage Ornaments (and a winner!)

Posted by Amy on Dec 8, 2009 | 9 comments

While many of our boxes of Christmas decorations headed back to the attic unopened this year, these vintage ornaments were one of the first things I snagged.

Old glass ornaments are a favorite of mine. Over the years we’ve been privileged to inherit many from family members. Last year I was excited to receive a box of ornaments from my husbands grandmother that had recently passed away. Each ornament shows a different mini scene.

I just adore them. Lovely patina. So whimsical.

A little glitter and old pipe cleaners add that special touch.

I can just imagine my mother-in-law and her brother sitting around their family tree as little ones watching the glimmer from these ornaments. So I decided to display them in a special way. A branch from a tree, spray painted ever so slightly with white paint is now the perfect home to showcase these family treasures. (For those interested in trying this at home, the branch is stuck in styrofoam that is secured in a planter. The styrofoam is concealed with other small Christmas ornaments, but moss or fabric would work great too.)

It’s always fun to add something new to the regular Christmas decor.

So what have you done differently this year with your decorations? Any fun new ideas you can share with the rest of us?

***

Congratulations!!! Winner of the demi-style apron from The Hip Hostess (chosen by a random number generator) is…

Amy L. ~ “It is hard to choose. I love the avocado a la mode, pink sorbet, and the chocolate mint. The chocolate mint would probably be the one if I had to choose. Very cute Christmas gift.”

Happy cooking to whoever ends up with this cool hip apron. Don’t forget to stop by to check out gift ideas for that hip hostess in your life at The Hip Hostess.

Polish Pottery, oh how I adore thee…

Posted by Amy on Oct 14, 2009 | 13 comments

About 15 years ago my SAS, Carole was living in Germany with her husband who was stationed there for some time to drive tanks about the countryside. She and a few of her lady friends would go traipsing about eastern Europe, junkin’, shopping and generally wreaking havoc in their wake. No I’m just joking, they behaved…most of the time.

Anyway, they regularly crossed the border into Poland for a Polish Pottery run that of which I was thankfully a beneficiary. Polish Pottery was originally made long ago by farmers in rural Poland; hand painted with simple, primitive designs mostly dots replicating the eye of the peacock feather.

My sister gave me my first taste of the lovely handpainted pottery for my birthday one of those many years ago.

And not too soon later a baby gift for my first born, a tea set. Isn’t it cute!!!

Anyone want to come over and play? We can make scones and tea and I think I have some brie left over in the fridge. Any takers?

I digress…although tea sounds mighty fine right now…maybe later? My sister started my infatuation with Polish Pottery back then and I’ve continued to collect it throughout the years. The pottery has become quite popular since and hence the rise in costs (my sister and her friends used to get dishes in Poland for $2 and $3 a piece!), so my purchases are few and far between nowadays. But you can easily find it in most TJ Maxx and Marshall’s stores, as well as online. There’s a whole slew of different pieces – even Christmas ornaments.

I have a thing about bowls. Bowls are multifunctional. They hold things. Good things. You can never have too many bowls. Big bowls. Little bowls. Medium sized bowls. Bowls rock.

Thanks for letting me share one of my favoritist things in the whole wide world.

So what do you collect? Have a favorite china pattern? Or are you more of a quilt gal? What about those funky snow globes? Please share – I can’t wait to hear about it.

A multipurpose gift idea.

Posted by Amy on Sep 28, 2009 | 8 comments

Last year I purchased this calendar.

And this one.

And this one.

And here’s another.

You can’t have too many calendars.

Actually after admiring some prints that a friend had hanging in her home, I found out that they were from a calendar. So I went on a hunt for my own. What a fantastic idea for a gift that can be used later for decorating. Inexpensive too. The calendars are around $20. And for that price you get, not just one, but twelve images to frame. What a deal.

I found these from Cavallini & Co. They have a beautiful line that also include stationery and other quality paper products. The vegetable calendar was a popular one last year, and hard to find, so be sure to check out their offerings soon before they go bye-bye.

I like the birdies and have hung a grouping of four just this week. Aren’t they cute? I can almost hear them tweet every time I walk by.

So do you have any multipurpose gift recommendations or just a great gift idea? Do share!